Goya Dmytryshchak
Williamstown Church of Christ is keeping its doors open to provide food hampers for those in need after its soup kitchen was forced to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pastor Jonathan Prince and volunteers, wearing masks and providing hand sanitiser, are giving out parcels of supplies every Tuesday from 11am to 1pm.
“We used to do a soup kitchen scenario, which we had to stop,” Mr Prince said.
“We then shifted to giving out hampers.
“We’ve had to adjust, like many places, in how we deliver a service.”
He said supermarket shortages caused by panic buying had caused additional problems.
“Over the last few weeks, my concern has been, as issues have been in supermarkets, that people can’t get what they need,” Mr Prince said.
“People can’t get what they need so they go back the next day, they go back the next day, and then they source what they can’t get through other services.
“I’ve been concerned … the people who can’t afford stuff even if it is in the supermarket may have been missing out.
“Certainly, as more and more programs are having to shut doors for one reason or another, there’s less and less avenues to support those who can’t support themselves.”
Mr Prince said his service was not in danger of closing, with people queuing along taped-out lines to receive necessities such as tinned and packaged food – and a roll of toilet paper.
“We consider ourselves as providing emergency relief and so until something like supermarkets close down, or if there’s not enough volunteers feeling comfortable providing our service, then we’d find ourselves in that position,” he said.
“Every time something comes out or something happens, we keep resolutely going. So, on we go.”
The church’s food program has been supported by the Hobsons Bay Community Fund, which is inviting applications from local grassroots organisations for grants of $500 to $5000.
For more details or to apply, visit www.hbcommunityfund.org.au/grants.
